Basic Car Servicing

You dont have to pay mechanic for replacing these simple filters:

1. Oil filters
2. Engine Air filters
3. Cabin air filters

Best high performance filters are available for $20-30. I usually buy K&N High performance or Purolator brand from eBay or Amazon or local auto parts stores like AutoZone, NapaParts or Advance Auto Parts. They have online filter selection tool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bml8dletNbk

http://www.ehow.com/video_1560_change-air-filter.html

Search on youtube like "cabin air filter change  2006 Mazda 6"

Oil and oil filters

You can buy very cheap synthetic/$0 oil from slickdeals like http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/73286/walmart-stores-5qt.-goil-synthetic-motor-oil-5w30 Keep looking.

I just changed my oil today for $12(labor) + $10 (high performance oil filter) + $0 G-oil SYNTHETIC oil

Car Servicing

Make sure you follow the manufacturer recommended maintenance manual and NOT the dealer maintenance schedule. Dealers usually ask for 3k/3 months and suggest all sorts of untimely maintenance like fluid flushes ahead of schedule. Its best to follow the manufacturer schedule.